Usage & Assay Information

Storage & Safety

Storage

Store at 4 deg C.

General Information

Biological Significance

An antibody, also known as an immunoglobulin, is a large Y-shaped protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses. The antibody recognizes a unique part of the foreign target, termed an antigen. Each tip of the "Y" of an antibody contains a paratope (a structure analogous to a lock) that is specific for one particular epitope (that is equivalent to a key) on an antigen, allowing these two structures to bind together with precision. In placental mammals there are five antibody isotypes known as IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG and IgM.